Fight With Me

Chapter 16

Josie's POV

Hope and I were curled up on her bed, absorbed in the familiar chaos of Mean Girls. I pulled her closer, feeling the warmth radiate from her body, and kissed her forehead gently.

"Thank you for the treehouse. It was the most amazing thing anyone's ever done for me," I whispered, my voice thick with gratitude.

She wrapped her arms around me, fingers threading through my hair as she sighed contentedly. "I will always be here to do anything for you. Honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about you all day. Ever since you gave me the tour of the school, I've been hoping you liked me back."

As silence enveloped us, I looked up to see her eyes drifting closed. It was only 3:30, but after the whirlwind of the last few days, she deserved the rest. I slowly began to sneak out of the room when she suddenly pulled me back, feigning a pout.

"I thought you said you were going to stay with me," she murmured.

I couldn't help but grin as I turned back to face her. Leaning in again, just as I was about to kiss her, my phone rang, cutting the moment short.

"God, someone is really plotting against us," Hope groaned, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Ugh, it's my dad," I said, annoyance seeping into my voice.

"Josie?" he called through the line.

"Yes, Dad?"

"We have a new student named Jade who needs a tour. Meet me at the entrance at 4."

"But Dad—can't Lizzie do it?"

"Nope. No excuses. Love you, bye."

I groaned as I hung up. "I have to go show this new girl around in, like, ten minutes."

Hope's expression shifted, a flicker of jealousy crossing her eyes.

"New girl, huh? Sounds familiar," she said softly, her tone tinged with sadness.

"What are you jealous of?" I teased, smirking.

"Nah, I'm not... because I know I could make you beg for me in a millisecond," she said with a mischievous grin. Before I could react, she pushed me down onto the bed, straddling me.

"Hope, I have to be down there in like eight minutes. What are you doing?" I giggled.

She smirked and leaned in, kissing down my neck. A soft moan escaped me as I tilted my head, giving her better access.

"I have lips, you know," I managed, flustered.

"I know," she whispered, winking proudly. I caught a glimpse of the hickey forming in the mirror and lunged at her.

"Hope! I have to take that girl around!" I exclaimed, half-annoyed, half-amused.

"That's the point, silly—to show her you aren't interested," she replied, mock-serious.

I glared, and she put on a playful pout. "Aww, a bit flustered, are we?" she teased, leaning in to kiss my cheek before pushing me out the door. I couldn't help but smile as I walked toward my dad's office, trying to cover my neck. This girl was going to be the death of me.

⸻

Hope's POV

I wasn't jealous. She was mine, and she could do whatever she wanted—as long as she came back to me. Okay... maybe I was a little jealous. Sitting on my bed, I let my thoughts swirl around Josie. I miss her. Wow, she's got me totally whipped, I mused. I'd never been this sure of anything in my life.

⸻

Josie's POV

After finishing the tour for Jade, I was relieved that neither she nor my dad had mentioned the hickey. My mind had barely been present, replaying moments with Hope, particularly how her lips felt against my neck—it didn't just feel good, it felt right.

When I reached Hope's room, I knocked softly. No answer. I opened the door slowly, expecting her to be there, but she wasn't. Deciding to wait, I plopped down on the bed, assuming she'd just gone to grab snacks.

⸻

Hope's POV

I had gone downstairs for ice cream and chips to set up our movie night. Returning with the snacks, I opened the door—and found Josie waiting with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Hey, Jo—oh..." I started, but before I could finish, she slammed the door shut with a flick of magic, making me drop the snacks.

She rushed over, pinning my arms above my head. Our foreheads pressed together as she leaned in, trailing kisses down my neck—playful at first, then more intense. She nibbled my earlobe and whispered, "Payback," smirking. I grabbed my phone to check my neck—the hickey was there.

"You're killing me, Josie Saltzman," I whispered, heart racing. She backed me gently against the edge of the bed, teasing and dominant.

She finally joined me on the bed, pouting playfully. "When I said join me, I meant down here," I teased, pulling her close. Her eyes were full of desire, and a rush of heat hit me.

"Don't—don't look at me like that, Josie, oh my god," I sighed, flustered.

She frowned slightly, beginning to sit up. "I'm sorry, Hope. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

I gently grabbed her face, forcing her to make eye contact. "You didn't make me uncomfortable," I assured her, my confidence surging. Suddenly, I flipped us over, so I was hovering above her. Leaning in closer, I muttered, "It's just that if something starts now, I'm not sure I'll be able to stop."

She locked eyes with me, a fire igniting between us. "And what if I don't want you to stop?" she challenged, her voice steady, laced with a playful edge.

In that moment, the world outside faded away. Everything that had been swirling around us, the jealousy, the worry, the uncertainty  dissolved, leaving only us and the heat of our connection.

Without hesitation, I leaned down, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. It was slow at first, a sweet exploration of everything we had both been holding back. Our hands intertwined, fingers weaving together as if we were creating something new.

As the kiss deepened, it became a beautiful promise of all that was to come. I felt her smile against my lips, and it ignited a warmth within me. We pulled away, breathless and grinning like fools.

"Well," I said, panting slightly, "I guess we both got what we wanted."

She nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Definitely."

In that moment, everything felt right. We didn't need words to express it; the connection was stronger than anything we could say. And as I wrapped my arms around her, I knew we were ready to face whatever came next, together.